First Pitcher of the Year Watch List released

Initial watch list of 2014 features 47 players from across the country

College Baseball Hall of Fame

LUBBOCK, Texas -- For a pitcher, there's not much better than zeros, and several of the 47 pitchers on the first watch list for the 2014 Pitcher of the Year Award feature that magic number in their statistical lines.

The Pitcher of the Year Award, sponsored by Diamond, will be presented during the National College Baseball Hall of Fame's annual Night of Champions on June 28 in Lubbock, Texas.

Two pitchers, Louisville's Nick Burdi and Samford's Andres Gracia, have 0.00 ERAs. Burdi, a junior right-hander, is 2-1 in 16 appearances, with eight saves and 34 strikeouts in 19 2/3 innings pitched. Garcia, also a junior right-hander, is 2-0 in 22 appearances, with 11 saves and 25 strikeouts in 24 2/3 innings.

"Two month into the season and still having a 0.00 ERA is pretty impressive," said Raymond Richardson, Pitcher of the Year Award co-chair. "All of these pitchers have impressive statistics, and we're pleased to be able to recognize that."

In addition to standout individual statistics, several schools have multiple representatives on the watch list, including Pepperdine with three.

"Three players on the watch list from the same school is pretty remarkable," said Chris Snead, award co-chair. "It definitely says something about the caliber of that staff. It will be interesting to see how the numbers shape up as we progress through the regular season and the postseason."

For more information on the Pitcher of the Year Award or the College Baseball Hall of Fame's Night of Champions, visit www.collegebaseballhall.org.